Inside the New York Yankees clubhouse with MLB.com beat writer Bryan Hoch.

8/2 – Yankees at White Sox

There is no more tragic date in Yankees history. 30 years ago, the Yankees lost their captain, Thurman Munson, when the Cessna Citation jet he was piloting crashed short of a runway in Canton, Ohio.

Munson had been practicing touch-and-go landings that afternoon, an unplanned exercise – he’d even left his car unlocked and a cigar burning in the ashtray. On Munson’s third approach, he did not lower the landing gear and tried to accelerate to make up the difference. The jet clipped a tree and, while two passengers survived the impact, Munson would perish.

Recently, I had a chance to read Marty Appel’s wonderful “Munson: The Life and Death of a Yankee Captain,” and if you are not familiar with Munson’s story and legacy … or even if you are … this is very much a worthwhile book to pick up. Appel reveals Munson the man, as well as detailing the gritty leader whom the Yankees still miss very much to this day.

As Munson’s plaque reads in Monument Park: “Our captain and leader has not left us today, tomorrow, this year,
next … Our endeavors will reflect our love and admiration for him.”

NOTES: Brian Bruney, Dave Robertson and Mark Melancon probably won’t be used today … Girardi said there are no health concerns with Alfredo Aceves … Buerhle and Sabathia rank 1-2 in wins by left-handers in MLB since 2001 (Buerhle 129, Sabathia 127). They have matched up five times – Sabathia is 5-0, Buerhle 0-5. … Derek Jeter played his 2,084th game, tying Babe Ruth for fourth place on the Yankees’ all-time list. Next up is Yogi Berra (2,116).

Girardi’s thoughts on Munson: “There’s always so much talk about Thurman. People wearing his jersey still, Diana still comes back, I think it tells you about the kind of man and the way the Yankees people felt about him. I think he was a great player, a great leader, and I think he got the best out of everyone. I think there was an attitude there that people really appreciated, a grittiness and a toughness, the way he played the game. The fact that his locker was still there in Yankee Stadium when I walked in there for the first time in 1996 kind of gave me chills. He was an amazing man and obviously we all feel that he went way before his time. We wish we could have had him in Spring Training all the time with us.”

14 Comments

According to Rosenthahl of Fox sports the M’s wanted Austin Jackson for Washburn. My one thought is this, if Jackson is that good why the *ELL isn;t he with the Big Club right now? Sometimes I think this franchise “babies” its players.

I do recall the sad day when Thurman Munson died! I was walking home and a kid in the neighborhood told me. I did not believe him until I got home and watched the evening news. It was very sad! I remember watching Bobby Murcer hit a homerun to help the Yankees win the night they honored Thurman. Munson was own my childhood team I started pulling for the Yankees in the early 1970s when they really sucked. Thurman was the rookie of the year and gave Yankees hope. He always got clutch hits and lead Yankees two championships. #15 is one of my alltime favorites!!!

oneof5, is it just me or did this team go FLAT, since the trade deadline passed? Is it me or are they flat because these players realized this team needed a 5th starter and the person responsible failed to do his job and gives every excuse it the world. By the way Chubby Ponson is available. Speaking of Chubby let’s see if the Chubby one on the mound today can hold the lead.

Why is this team beating up on our starters and our bull pen? Is the White Sox that good? I’m sure they’re glad the Yankees came to town. They are obviously good hitters and they have good pitchers. They are going to be there come October if they keep playing like this. And the Yankees won’t be there if they keep playing like they have this series.

Way to go Melky! too early to get excited yet. They started this way yesterday and ended up losing 14-4. Need to get more production from guys like ARod and Tex as well as from the bottom of the lineup. ARod has been really frustrating of late. He’s just not getting the clutch hits and not hitting the long ball either.

Man, are we going to be swept by these guys? Not since 1964. The Yankees have played like amateurs in this series, up tight, making mistakes, doing stupid things, not pitching, not hitting, poor management etc. etc. It’s got to change today or we’re behind the Sox chasing them again. You would think they’d be so embarrassed at their performance so far that they would blow away the Sox today in spite of Buerle. They need some grit and concentration and really running hard and smart, and getting men home who are on base and we need a great game from CC into the 7th inning at least. How can a team look so good and then look so awful? Any team with Sox whether white or red have the Yankees number this year, and yes the Halos as well.

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